The Global Go To Think Tank Index Report, published by the University of Pennsylvania in the United States, is a closely watched annual survey of the work of over 6,000 international think tanks.
The newly released 2017 report ranks the CSS ahead of 97 other think tanks across the region and as the 39th best university-affiliated think tank worldwide.
The CSS is based in Victoria’s School of History, Philosophy, Political Science and International Relations and specialises in research into, and promoting informed public debate about, New Zealand foreign policy and strategic and security issues.
Its Director, Associate Professor David Capie, says: “We’re delighted to have again been ranked so highly by this independent body. At the Centre for Strategic Studies, we pride ourselves on grappling with the big security challenges facing not just New Zealand but also the wider Asia-Pacific and beyond. These rankings confirm the quality of the research and teaching we do.”
The CSS was established in 1993 and has a busy programme of activities planned for 2018, including co-hosting a conference on New Zealand-United States relations with the Washington-based Center for Strategic and International Studies—the world’s number one- ranked think tank for defence and national security.
The Centre is also launching a new teaching programme, delivering Victoria’s Master of Strategic Studies to the New Zealand Defence Force’s Command and Staff College.
In the same Global Go To Think Tank Index Report, Victoria’s New Zealand Climate Change Research Institute, based in the School of Geography, Environment and Earth Sciences, is again one of the world’s top 50 environment policy think tanks.
"Together with the Centre for Strategic Studies’ rankings, this shows the research and policy advice being generated at Victoria is among the best anywhere, and is of particular relevance to the Asia-Pacific region," says Professor David Frame, Director of the Institute.
‘Advancing better government’, ‘Enabling our Asia-Pacific trading nation’ and ‘Enhancing the resilience and sustainability of our natural heritage and capital’ are all areas of academic distinctiveness at Victoria.